Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-11-04
THE OATMEAL GIRL.

Alfred Moore was young, rich and toll
erably good looking, and was looked upon
as Il desirable match by all his feminine
acquaintance, who grieyed to see him
wasting his years, for, in the feminine
mind, unmarried years are wasted. But
there was something serious the matter
with Alfred-he had hobby Any one
who has a male relative affected with
hobby, whether it is politics. drainage, or
chids, OF poultry raising, can realize how
serious this matter was on learning that
Alfred's hobby was health. This unfor-
tunate young man had dyspeptic father
and mother, and he had heard more about
i'll health ever since his childhood than if
he had attended a course of medical lect-
ures for years His mother had to have
certain articles of diet continually pre-
pared for her dyspepsia, and his father,
having a slightly different style of dyspep-
STA, had to have his meals prepared especi-
ally for his needs. The family atmosphere
was always regulated by dyspepsia; if
depressed day happened to take both par
ents at once, deep gloom prevailed over
the household. If depression seized upon
one parent on day when the other felt
cheerful there were apt to be conflicting
breezes, with a tendency to storms. On
days when both parents felt able to order
a pudding for next day Alfred knew he
might ask favors and obtain indulgences,
and he always improved the occasion, well
knowing that the day after the pudding
would be one of darkness and despair.
On cheerful days Alfred's parents talked
of nothing but of what they wanted to
eat; on gloomy days they talked only
of what they had eaten. Hav-
ing studied all these phases of
the fruits of good living, Alfred
realized that though his youth had borne
him safely through years of luxurious
dining there might be a wrecked digestion
in store for him, so he took advantage of
his four years of college life to cultivate
an abstemious appetite and habit of TAX
ing active exercise daily. Thus his hobby
thrived and grew till it demanded nothing
less than that Alfred should find for him
self a healthy wife or none. For this &C.
centric frame of mind Alfred's parents
were directly responsible, since it was i'm
possible to contemplate their sufferings,
their temper and appearance without see
ing that life would not be worth living
under like conditions. But Alfred found
it most difficult to satisfy the demand of
his hobby, being fettered in his efforts by
that uncomfortable old truism. '"Things
are not what they seem.'' He wanted
partner for his fine and well cared for di-
gestion, Enclosed in the frame of pretty
and intelligent girl; but, though he knew
dozens of delightful girls, and could have
ascertained. without difficulty the exact
state of their hearts Che being, as afore-
said, young, rich and handsome, he wac
unable TO feel positively assured Of the
state Of their digestive organs. Rosy
cheeks, bright eyes, rounded forms and
abundant hair were all present to his
sight, but how could he be sure that their
owners did not have "blue spells" 'tnerv-
GUS attacks" and ''temp'ry spells?' Per-
by spoonfuls. by drops in tumblers of
water, by powders at meal times. Had
he not seen all these things from his youth
up at home even before his mother lost
her good looks? His mother had been a
beauty and a belle, but years of dietetic
encouragement had reduced her to the
semblance of a mummy.
''If one could catch q girl when quite
small, shut her up, and feed her properly,
happiness would be certain" reflected
Alfred. But as that could not be con-
veniently done, in the present age OF bar
barous civilization, Alfred resolved to
find a girl as nearly up to his require
ments as possible, marry her Immediately,
and while the word ''obcy' was still fresh
in her ne.nory restrict her diet, form her
mind, and be happy.
There il q sage cid proverb among the
Pers;Gns to the effect that upon every
good resolve wait two geni, one good and
one bad These parties were doubtless on
hand upou the evening when Alfred met
Flos5ie Hrccil. This young woman had
come from a neghboring country town to
-ie,s% 4 &c in To,,a
days after Ter arrival, Alfred, with other
young people, was spending the evening
upon the piazza of James home, and,
among other things, they discussed their
anticipated summer outings. Seashore,
lakes asd mountains We're named, and
most OF the party were to be widely di-
vided during August. In spite of tempt
ing invitations, Alfred had secretly de-
cided On trip to the Virginia hunting
grounds, when he heard Jane say: ''And
here's Flossie going to that stupid farm,
where there is 10 one to see and nothing
to do, Just so that she can climb treesr'
A shout OF laughter greeted this accusa-
ton, to which Miss Flossie replied only
by bright smile, which showed two rows
of exquisite teeth, and q dimple in which
Cupid might have taken board for the
summer. "And there's nothing to eat up
there" added one Of the young men.
sob, Elossie eats nothing but oatmeal
and potatoes!" said Jane Moore
Alfred's attention was aroused. GLOW
very unusual, Miss Breck,' he said.
81 eat bread and sometimes meat; but
my aunt, who has always had charge of
me, never allowed me to eat all sorts of
things, as other girls do" said Flossie,
with pretty blush and a deprecating
glance.
every sensible of her." said Alfred, be-
coming more interested. Presently he
learned that the place she intended to visit |
was a farm house in B county, near a
village with which he was familiar.
81 go there sometimes; the fishing is
quite tolerable,' he said.